Plastic surgery training involves a wide range of procedures to restore the body's normal appearance and function, while cosmetic surgery training focuses exclusively on aesthetic procedures. However, many plastic surgeons offer cosmetic procedures in their office. If you've always thought that cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery were the same thing, you're not alone. A significant number of plastic surgeons choose to focus their practice on cosmetic surgery and, therefore, the terms are often used interchangeably.
However, this is not technically correct. Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are closely related specialties, but they are not the same thing. A big problem for many people is that a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon can be confused. But while cosmetic surgery is a type of plastic surgery, cosmetic surgeons can only perform cosmetic procedures, he explains Dr.
Alan Matarasso, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Plastic surgery is a broad field that encompasses both cosmetic (aesthetic) procedures and reconstructive procedures. Reconstructive surgery focuses on repairing or reconstructing problems caused by congenital deformities, the removal of tumors such as cancer, trauma, or other reasons. Some other lesser-known plastic surgery procedures include carpal tunnel surgery, microsurgery, rhinoplasty, and surgery of the peripheral nerves.
Cosmetic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, while plastic surgeons are accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. However, the American Board of Medical Specialists only recognizes the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The training, experience and knowledge needed to become a certified cosmetic surgeon reflect a specialization that goes beyond what is needed to become certified in a related discipline, such as plastic surgery. Dr.
Stephen Colbert, of MU Health Care, is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and specializes in plastic and cosmetic surgery. Board certification indicates that a plastic surgeon is committed to improving their craft, has sought all avenues of additional education, and has a strong dedication to the highest standards of safety and performance. While many plastic surgeons choose to complete additional training and also perform cosmetic surgery, the foundation of their surgical training remains reconstructive plastic surgery. Therefore, the title of “board-certified plastic surgeon” indicates a certain level of training and experience with respect to plastic surgery, but does not indicate the same with respect to cosmetic surgery, since the residency training required to obtain board certification in plastic surgery may not include training with respect to many common cosmetic procedures.
For the best possible safety, results, and experience, it is recommended that you seek a board-certified plastic surgeon for your cosmetic procedures. Plastic surgeons who perform elective cosmetic procedures, such as breast lifts and image changes for moms, perform cosmetic procedures, which are also performed by cosmetic surgeons. It's important to note that any qualified medical professional (including plastic surgeons and dermatologists) who performs these procedures can, with good reason, refer to themselves as a cosmetic surgeon. If you're just starting out on your plastic surgery journey, you're probably looking into potential surgeons.
In addition to these, plastic surgeons can perform most cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, breast changes, and stretching facial. Because cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery have different practice objectives based on a set of specific procedures, it only follows that the training and certification process of a board-certified plastic surgeon will be very different from that of a board-certified plastic surgeon. For plastic surgeons to obtain board certification, they have to go beyond the already extensive plastic, reconstructive, aesthetic and general surgery training. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be covered by insurance, while cosmetic plastic surgery is elective and usually isn't cover.
